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When not to use the Jake

Yahoo Message Number: 90363
While we are on the subject: When traveling mild ups and downs leave the Jake off. Think kinetic energy! Every time the Jake comes on you are depleting kinetic energy that took fuel to build up. And it will take more fuel to reacquire. Example; if you normally drive 55 mph and a mild, long downhill increases your speed to maybe 62-65 (without the prospect of going higher) then leave the Jake off. That slight increase in speed will also assist you in climbing the next up grade. Also, you will see fuel economy improve. In this situation gravity is your friend, kinda like free energy. Safe driving should always prevail over fuel economy but if you are comfortable with your coach and know how it performs then use kinetic energy to your and your wallet's advantage.
Lyle Wetherholt
04 Intrigue 11740

Re: When not to use the Jake

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 90364
I agree with Lyle. Another skill is learning how to keep it in 6th and Econo Mode as much s possible to maximize MPG under those conditions.

Lee (leozbrowski@...) 2007 Country Coach Intrigue 12153
CAT C-13

Re: When not to use the Jake

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 90365
On my previous DP on a Freightliner with at CAT 3126, I installed a gizmo called a 'Brake Switch' that allowed me to leave the exhaust brake switch ON, but the exhaust brake would only activate when I touched the brake pedal. This prevented the exhaust brake from coming on as soon as my foot was lifted from the throttle.
Has anyone installed one of those on a CC? The wiring on this beast is so complicated, I am hesitant to mess with it.

Gary

'07 Allure 470 #31578

From: Lyle

To: Country-Coach-Owners@yahoogroups.com Sent: Thursday, August 8, 2013 10:21 AM Subject: [Country-Coach-Owners] When not to use the Jake

While we are on the subject: When traveling mild ups and downs leave the Jake off. Think kinetic energy! Every time the Jake comes on you are depleting kinetic energy that took fuel to build up. And it will take more fuel to reacquire. Example; if you normally drive 55 mph and a mild, long downhill increases your speed to maybe 62-65 (without the prospect of going higher) then leave the Jake off. That slight increase in speed will also assist you in climbing the next up grade. Also, you will see fuel economy improve. In this situation gravity is your friend, kinda like free energy. Safe driving should always prevail over fuel economy but if you are comfortable with your coach and know how it performs then use kinetic energy to your and your wallet's advantage.
Lyle Wetherholt
04 Intrigue 11740

Re: When not to use the Jake

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 90369
Very good points! This is part of the reason I relocated the rocker switch so I could easily switch it off when I wanted to coast.
Mazimize MGP? That is easy, just go to your refrigerator and grab an egg and put it between your foot and the accelerator pedal. Don't break the egg and you will get great mileage! :-) Driving "as if" there were an egg there will help maximize MPG.
The other thought that comes to mind when talking MPG is this saying:

"I pass everything on the road...but the gas stations!"

Speed does kill...gas mileage! :-)

Dan

2006 Allure 430 with tag
#31344

Re: When not to use the Jake

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 90370
I always remember CAT MAN (Sir Wolfe, on many boards) say that 'Coasting is his favorite gear:)!'.

I usually leave my Jake off, except:

- Sure, mountain down hill runs

- In big city traffic, for stop and go control
I do agree with the comment about every little bit of stopping power can help. So I think that 95% of the time I have it covered by using the Jake in big city traffic and freeway driving. I've also practiced reaching over and activating the Jake without looking. Can do it quite naturally now. But also admit that in a true 'pop-up' emergency situation, I might need both hands for the wheel.
On stopping power, the other thing I do is adjust the US Gear from level 5 to level 8, while in big city traffic and highway situations. I don't for down hill runs, as I don't expect to possibly need to emergency stop on a down hill run. (Doubt it really helps with the CRV being so light, but it is what I got used to doing when this system was in the Bounder, so still do it today.

Best to all,
Smitty

04 Allure 31017
04 Allure Sold to a nice new owner! Now enjoying a 07 Magna Rembrandt 45' ISX600 #6775
"We're ONDROAD for THEJRNY!" (Toad and Coach license plates, say Hi if you see us!)

Re: When not to use the Jake

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 90373
Gary, there is a Brakeswitch.com in my Allure, fitted by the PO. It is s simple bit of kit only a relay really sitting in the sense line and activated by the brake lights. However, if you have a Cummins ISL, the ECM can be programmed to come on when the service brake is applied rather than foot off accelerator. It's an option in the ECM, the only reason I have not bothered is that I have the Brakeswitch. However another option is to have the Jake work in cruise, as someone else has mentioned, this can be set by the Cummins guy as well through insite. I may get around to it this winter but Cummins always want to Rob you blind!

Michael

2008 Allure 31683

Re: When not to use the Jake

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 90378
I am not near my manuals, but If I remember correctly, there are three different configurations for programming the Jacobs brake. I will look them up later. I also remember something about not using on ice or rainy surfaces. I will check this out later. These settings must be set by Cat with their computer.

Max

98 Affinity #5487

Re: When not to use the Jake

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 90383
This can be accomplished, with a Cat motor, by having your Cat dealer program the ECU for "Latch Mode" exhaust brake operation.

Tim Gerrity

2002 Magna 40' #6081

Re: When not to use the Jake

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 90386
The way our Jake brake should work is when the cruise control is on, the transmission will downshift when the Jake brake switch is turned on, but the Jake brake itself will not come on until the brake pedal is depressed. With the Cruise control off, the Jake brake will come on as soon as the switch is turned on.

Per

95 Affinity

Re: When not to use the Jake

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 90390
Micheal, I just talked to the fellow who developed the Brake Switch and he also told me that I can have Cummins flip a DIP switch in the engine ECU to program the Jake to come on when I press the service brake. So I will plan to have my local Cummins Coach Care shop do that soon.

Thanks. Gary